Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Director of Player Development - Graduate Manager
- Email:
- jtabor@umkc.edu
Justin Tabor will begin his first year as an assistant coach in 2025-26 after spending the previous three years as the Director of Player Development. This is Tabor’s second stint with Coach Marvin Menzies. He served as a Student Manager and Graduate Assistant for Coach Menzies while at New Mexico State from 2010-16.
In 2024-25, the Roos were selected for a first place finish in the Summit League preseason polls, a first in program history. One of the most notable moments of the season was a six-game winning streak from Dec. 10 through Jan. 4 that included a road win at Wichita State, KC's first win over the Shockers since 2008-09. The Roos picked up a 73-56 win over Oral Roberts in the first round of the Summit League Championship, KC's first postseason win since 2017. Jamar Brown picked up multiple accolades throughout the season, including Second Team All-League, Academic All-League, CSC Academic All-District, Summit Peak Performer of the Week and an Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honor.
The 2023-24 season was one of the program's best in recent history as a six-game win streak to end the regular season helped Kansas City earn a second place finish in the Summit League standings, tied for the best finish in program history. Along the way, KC picked Summit League sweeps over Oral Roberts, Omaha, Denver and South Dakota. KC's Dec. 29 victory over ORU was the first home win over the Golden Eagles since 2005, while the Feb. 15 win over SDSU marked the first win over the Jackrabbits since 2015.
Tabor's assistance was key, as Head Coach Marvin Menzies brought home Coach of the Year honors, becoming the second coach in program history to do so. Jamar Brown was named First Team All-League and the League's Newcomer of the Year, while Jayson Petty earned Freshman of the Year honors, Khristion Courseault brought home the Sixth Man of the Year award and Babacar Diallo was given an All-Defensive team nod.
In 2022-23, Kansas City was consistently ranked as one of the best defensive teams in the Summit, leading the league in rebounds per game and scoring defense. At the end of the season, Shemarri Allen and RayQuawndis Mitchell were both named Second Team All-Summit League. Allen was also named to the All-Defensive Team while Mitchell earned a spot on the All-Newcomer squad.
“I wanted to get back to the Division One level, and Coach Marvin Menzies, the man who got my foot in the door, got the job. I want to help him bring a winning pedigree to Kansas City,” Tabor said.
Among his duties as Director of Player Development, Tabor oversees stat-taking in-practice and during games, monitors social media pages, assists with film and video, assists with camp coordination, assists with the Kansas City Dunker Club and provides aid in day-to-day operations.
Prior to Kansas City, Tabor served as the Assistant Coach at Southeastern CC for two years. During his time, Tabor coached 21 Academic All-ICCAC/All-Region XI players, 10 All-ICCAC/All-Region XI players, and two NJCAA All-American players. Southeastern CC had a combined record of 41-12 while being ranked Top-25 all year (as high as No. 7). His duties consisted of the recruiting players, on and off court player development, scouting opposing teams, cutting/editing film for film sessions, academic liaison, organizing meals and equipment for the team, running the programs social media platforms and assisting the Assistant Dorm Director in the dorms.
During his single season at Eastern Arizona, the team achieved their best season since 2008 by going 26-7 and winning the Region I Championship. On top of that, Tabor played a pivotal role in the development of three All-ACCAC/All-Region I players, one of which was named an NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American. The team was selected as one of the 2019-20 NJCAA Men’s Basketball Academic Team of the Year by finishing 14th in the nation with a 3.22 Team GPA. Tabor’s duties consisted of recruiting players, on and off the court player development, strength and conditioning, scouting opposing teams, cutting/editing film for individual film sessions, academic liaison, organizing pre-game and post game meals and running the program’s social media platforms.
Prior to Eastern Arizona, Tabor served as the Assistant Coach for two seasons for the Hall of Fame Coach, Jay Herkelman. While at Coffeyville CC, his duties consisted of player development, organizing scouting reports, breaking down film for player and team film sessions, recruiting, team travel, organization of meals and equipment, academic guidance for players, oversight of all student managers and student life manager for both men and women’s dorm.
During his two seasons at Coffeyville CC, the team went 60-9, won two Jayhawk Conference Championships, Region 6 Championship (2018), 2x National Tournament appearance while getting to the Sweet 16 as the 5th seed (2018) and the Final 4 (2019) as the 3rd seed. Coffeyville CC finished 10th in the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Rankings in 2018 and finished 3rd in the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Rankings in 2019 while never dropping below 9th. Tabor coached 13 All-KJCCC/All Region VI players and two NJCAA All-Americans.
Prior to Coffeyville CC, Tabor served as the Graduate Assistant at NMSU from 2015-2017. His duties consisted of filming and coding home and away games, video exchange with opposing teams, cutting/editing film for the coaching staff, in-charge of all student managers, providing academic guidance for players, and assisting with day-to-day operations.
Before becoming a Graduate Assistant, Tabor served as a Student Manager for the Aggies for five seasons (2011-2015) and the Head Student Manager for three seasons (2013-2015). His duties consisted of setting up for practices and games, film/code home games, maintaining cleanliness and organization of the locker room and equipment room while keeping track of inventory, washing practice and game gear, assist with practice drills and individual workouts and leadership over all student managers.
In his combined seven years at New Mexico State, Tabor had honor of being a part of 168 wins, five NCAA Tournament berths (2011-2014, 2017), five WAC Tournament Championships (2011-2014, 2017), two WAC regular season champions (2015 and 2016), and one National Invitational Tournament berth (2016).
The Los Angeles, Calif. native earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from NMSU. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Higher Education Administration at UMKC.
